Building elements from totora stems joined with mechanical systems
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AHFE International
Abstract
For centuries, fast-growing species such as reeds and herbs have been used by
ancient cultures to build a wide range of objects from handicrafts to huts and rafts.
Several communities worldwide still use these kinds of plants as part of their
traditional materials and building techniques. One of these species is totora
(Schoenoplectus californicus) which grows in lakes and ponds in the Americas
from California to Chile and some Pacific Islands. The most important examples
of the use of this plant in the world are the group of floating islands of the Uros in
Lake Titicaca and indigenous communities of the Andes, where local peoples have
been using totora for more than 500 years applying mechanical joining techniques
such as weaving and lashing to build their houses, boats, and utensils. This study
focuses on developing new strategies supported by current technological
possibilities for joining totora stems using mechanical means to produce building
elements and study how the different parameters influence the mechanical
properties of the parts made with these techniques.
Resumen
Keywords
Totora, Mechanical joining systems, Mechanical properties, Fast-growing plants